Clemson lands commitment from top in-state lineman
By: Gavin Oliver December 9, 2017

Clemson’s commitment drought is over.

On Saturday night, Roebuck (S.C.) Dorman offensive lineman Jordan McFadden flipped his commitment to Clemson. He announced the news on Twitter.

McFadden (6-5, 280) was previously committed to Virginia Tech. His new Clemson commitment ends the Tigers’ five-month-long drought between commitments in the 2018 class. Clemson’s latest commit in the current cycle before McFadden was Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian defensive back Kyler McMichael, who pledged to the program in late June.

“First, I want to thank God for all he has done for me,” McFadden wrote in a Twitter post. “This is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I just want to thank Coach (Justin) Fuente and his staff for all they have done for me. They have welcomed me with open arms from the minute I met them and I am grateful for that. I want to thank my family and friends for helping through this process and always being there for me.

“After talking it over with my family and friends I have decided that Clemson is the best place for me to continue my athletic and academic career. I am 100% committed to CLEMSON UNIVERSITY.”

Clemson extended McFadden’s dream offer in August, a month after he committed to Virginia Tech.

McFadden then made unofficial visits to Clemson for the Auburn and Boston College games in September before going to Virginia Tech for the Clemson game a week later.

Virginia Tech hosted McFadden for an official visit in late October, then Clemson got its crack last month when McFadden took his official visit to Clemson the weekend of The Citadel game. The Tigers made a strong impression on McFadden, who told TCI afterward that the visit got him closer to a Clemson commitment.

McFadden plans to sign on Dec. 20 during the early signing period, though he will not be an early enrollee.

McFadden was recently named the South Carolina state lineman of the year. As a senior this season, he helped lead Dorman to the Class 5A state championship game where it lost to Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.) 28-27.

McFadden becomes the first offensive line pledge and 12th overall commitment in Clemson’s 2018 class, joining McMichael, Cartersville (Ga.) five-star quarterback Trevor Lawrence; Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star defensive end Xavier Thomas; Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star linebacker Mike Jones; Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe four-star athlete Derion Kendrick; Richburg (S.C.) Lewisville four-star defensive tackle Josh Belk; Snellville (Ga.) South Gwinnett four-star defensive tackle Justin Mascoll; Central (S.C.) Daniel four-star linebacker Jake Venables; Covington (Ga.) Newton four-star defensive tackle Darnell Jefferies; Seneca (S.C.) tight end Braden Galloway; and Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe kicker BT Potter.